Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, left, endorses William Tong for mayor of Stamford as Tong's wife, Elizabeth, looks on during an announcement at the Stamford Government Center on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013.
Photo: Jason Rearick

William Tong, left, speaks next to his wife, Elizabeth, as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, center, waits to be introduced during an announcement where Gov. Malloy endorses William Tong for mayor of Stamford at the Stamford Government Center on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013.
Photo: Jason Rearick

STAMFORD -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy bestowed his long-awaited endorsement in Stamford's mayoral race Monday, voicing his support for state Rep. William Tong in an unannounced appearance at the city hall he once occupied as mayor.

"What we need here is a mayor who knows how to capitalize and who knows how to get the job done," Malloy said to a crowd of cheering supporters in the lobby of Stamford's Government Center. "We've been good, we can get better and we can do it working together behind his plan."

Speculation swirled over whom the governor would back in his hometown's mayoral race, where Tong is the challenger in a Sept. 10 primary race against the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate, Board of Finance member David Martin. Malloy has made only one other mayoral endorsement in this year's municipal election cycle, announcing his support earlier this month for state Sen. Toni Harp, the party-endorsed candidate in New Haven's Democratic primary.

"I've had the privilege of working with (Tong) in my role as mayor and my role as governor," Malloy said. "When I was mayor, there was no one more supportive of getting more money for Stamford, bringing more innovative programs to Stamford than he was. Let's work harder for him than we've ever worked for any political candidate."

Tong said he appreciates the support of the governor, who served as Stamford's mayor for 14 years before running for the state's top office in 2010.

"Dan Malloy turned Stamford into Connecticut's vital city; the economic engine of our state," Tong said. "No one knows this job better than Dan Malloy. I want his endorsement because Dan Malloy is the gold standard for mayors for this city and across the state."

Malloy launched Tong's political career by appointing him to the city's Personnel Commission in 2000 and later backed his bid for the state General Assembly. Tong has represented District 147 since 2007.

"Some people have suggested that I'm close to the governor," Tong said. "I am. We are friends. But most importantly we are partners in doing the very best for the people of this city. We do it for one simple reason: This is our home."

It's unclear how the governor's endorsement will influence next month's primary. The Malloy machine is still a powerful force in Stamford politics but no longer dominates the Democratic City Committee, which endorsed Martin over Tong last month in a 26-12 vote.

Martin said he is satisfied with his party's endorsement and feels confident going into the final two weeks of the primary campaign.

"This election is about who will fight for the people of Stamford first -- not any other outside interest," Martin said. "The only endorsement that matters now is the local Stamford voters on Sept. 10."